Venice, FL Legislators Don't See Eye-To-Eye On Airport Needs

"Apparently, the Venice City Council doesn’t welcome honest advice from its Florida citizens." That's the message the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has received, after the council called for the resignation of every member of the seven-seat airport advisory board.

"It is a stunning slap to the aviation community," AOPA added.

Last month, the city council voted 5-2 to ask all the board members to resign. According to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, three members of the board have already stepped down... and the paper urged the other four members to do the same.

"Asking advisory board members to resign is a drastic step," the paper wrote in a July 29 op-ed piece. "But, in this case, the request is warranted... the airport board ventured beyond mere disagreement by waging what Paul Hollowell, its chairman, described in an e-mail as a strategy of "containment" or "holding actions" aimed at blocking the council from obtaining an amended master plan for Venice Municipal Airport."

AOPA notes board members haven’t always seen eye to eye with the city council on airport issues. In particular, the airport needs safety improvements to Runway 4/22, according to airport users.

Along with the FAA, the pilot advocacy group told the city it needs to make the airport a top priority. Previously, the council proposed shortening the runway or restricting the size of aircraft operating there. The association hopes the council will take action to improve the airport by submitting its updated airport master plan to the FAA before the end of August.

"Despite the fact that the guidance of the board may run contrary to the opinions of those who service on the city council, the city would be well served in maintaining the current airport advisory board members and acting on the solid guidance they have offered the city’s elected officials," wrote Heidi Williams, AOPA senior director of airports, in a letter to Venice Mayor Ed Martin. "Advisory bodies like this should not be filled with 'yes-men,' but rather with individuals who can offer the city their expertise and good judgment."

With over 415,000 members, AOPA says it is committed to ensuring the continued viability, growth, and development of aviation and airports in the United States. These airports are a vital and critical component of a national transportation system.

FMI: www.aopa.org